Housing Minister Phil Heatley today announced that state house tenants in a position to buy the house they live in will now be able do so.

Over the next week, Housing New Zealand will be approaching about 3,800 state tenants who pay market rent and live in a home that is available for purchase, to make them aware of the opportunity.

Tenants wishing to buy will need to approach banks about obtaining finance.

Housing New Zealand's Welcome Home Loan, which is a mortgage insurance scheme that underwrites home loans, and the corporation's free home ownership education programme, are available to assist those tenants.

Not all state houses are available for sale to tenants.  Interested tenants will need to check with Housing New Zealand first about whether their home is available.

To ensure a property is not on-sold to developers, a tenant who purchases their state house will be unable to reapply for a state house for three years from the date of purchase.

Any tenant interested in buying their house can register their interest by calling 0800 801 601, calling into their local Neighbourhood Unit, contacting their tenancy manger or email: saleofstatehouses@hnzc.co.nz